Communities Secretary Angela Rayner has urged Londoners to be “sensible” and leave their cars dirty as the capital battles drought conditions.
Drought and hosepipe ban
London, along with more than two thirds of England, has been hit by a “flash drought” following a run of heatwaves and dwindling water levels, leaving millions of people grappling with a hosepipe ban introduced by Thames Water.
The capital last saw significant rainfall in late June, while July became the first completely rainless calendar month for parts of London since official weather records began more than 150 years ago. Kew Gardens, for example, saw no measurable rainfall at all in July - the first time this has happened since 1871.
Rayner's comments
While a hosepipe ban is already in place in the capital, with anyone caught breaching it facing a fine of up to £1,000, Ms Rayner has urged Londoners to stop washing their cars altogether while water supplies remain under pressure.
Speaking to LBC Radio, the Cabinet minister said restrictions were necessary when water supplies were under pressure.
Presenter Nick Ferrari asked her: “I don't mind having a dirty car, do you, for a few weeks? Are you with me over that, Angela Rayner?”
Ms Rayner replied: “I'm totally with you. I mean, it's very rare I get to the car wash these days, but I just think...if you've got a shortage of water, you have to be sensible, don't you?
“We need drinking water and we need water that goes to our households and businesses before we wash our car.”
Impact on green spaces and services
Her comments come as London’s famous commons, green spaces and royal parks have turned yellow and brown following weeks of extreme heat, with the capital now bracing for its fifth heatwave of the year.
Highs of 32C and 35C are expected in London on Wednesday and Thursday, according to the Met Office.
Amber heat health alerts have been issued for most of England including the South East.
A report by the National Lottery and Heritage Fund and Historic England, today warned that London’s green spaces are particularly vulnerable to the changing climate and are unprepared for its severe impact. While all sites are responding in practical ways where they can, for example prioritising actions that will help adapt to climate change, they warn they are spending more time on emergency responses and maintenance.
The prolonged hot weather is also putting huge pressure on London’s infrastructure and emergency services. London Fire Brigade has been dealing with almost double the number of callouts it would normally expect on an average day.
On Wednesday, July 29, the brigade recorded its busiest day of the year, with control officers handling more than 1,300 emergency calls in just 24 hours.
Firefighters were sent to more than 500 incidents across the capital, including 63 separate grass fires in a single day.
With temperatures continuing to soar and water supplies under increasing pressure, Londoners may have to get used to a little dirt on their cars for the time being.
